British PM visiting India

British Prime Minister David Cameron will pay a three-day official visit to India beginning on Monday during which he will hold delegation level talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Cameron would be accompanied by a delegation including CEOs of leading business houses, vice chancellors of reputed universities, dignitaries and senior officials.

Cameron will visit Mumbai on February 18. In Mumbai, his programme includes visits to Hindustan Unilever headquarters, a Business Interaction at Taj Palace Hotel, a visit to St. Xavier School, and laying a wreath at the Police Memorial, amongst other engagements.

Cameron will hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on February 19 at the Hyderabad House here. He will call on President Prnab Mukherjee on the same day.

Cameron accompanied by a large official business delegation last visited India in July 2010.

India's multi-faceted bilateral relationship with the UK intensified with its upgradation to a Strategic Partnership in 2004. UK continues to be among India's major trade partners. The two-way merchandize trade during 2011-12 rose to US$ 16.157 billion, up 27 per cent from US$ 12.56 billion in 2010-11. UK cumulative equity investments in India are US$ 17.08 billion (October 2012).

About 700 Indian companies have operations in UK with over 70 of them listed on the London Stock Exchange. UK supports India's permanent membership at the United Nations Security Council and is an important interlocutor for India in the EU, G8, G20 and the global context.